Our beloved mother, CHRISTINE "YIA YIA" GREGORATOS, of Lake Station, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family, Thursday, March 29, 2012. Our beloved mother had a full life that ranged from the mountains of Eprius to Athens, to the Island of Kefalonia and finally immigrating to the United States with her children. She was born in the Village of Eleftherious, Conchia, a mountainous village in Greece. During WWII, her parents, Despina and Gorgious Manthos were killed leaving behind six small children to care for themselves. Without the love and support of family they were scattered throughout war torn Europe. Later in life she reunited with her brother, Timothy. Our mother met our father, Dennis Gregoratos, in Athens. They were married on the Island of Kefalonia, Greece. Christine had been a resident of Lake Station for over 50 years and was employed as a Custodian for Alexander Hamilton School for 28 years. She was a hard worker and will be remembered as strong, selfless woman who was loved by all the children.

She is survived by her 1 son, George (Mary) Gregoratos of Winter Park, FL; 4 daughters, Emily Gregoratos of Lake Station, Angela (Douglas) Arndt of Fleming Island, FL, Alexandria Gregoratos of Sarasota, FL, and Despina (Dave) Mills of Cincinnati, OH; brother, Timothy (Maria) Manthos of Melbourne, Australia; 3 grandchildren, Barbie Christine (John Steven) Smolinski of Yukouska, Japan, Jack Arndt of Atlanta, GA, Jake (Jessica) Arndt of Savannah, GA; 2 great grandchildren, Alexander Smolinski, 10 years old and Sophia Arndt, 1 ½ years old.

Christine was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis; her parents; 4 sisters, Katina, Katerina, Persephone, and Marianthy.

She was a member of Philoptochos Society and Senior Citizen Group at Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

A funeral service for Christine will be Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 8000 Madison St., Merrillville, with Father Ted Poteres and Father Jason Dickey officiating. Burial will follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 3, 2012 from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. with a Trisagion service at 5:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 W. Old Ridge Rd., Hobart, (219) 942-2109 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.